CAGE adds key evidence of 17 years of human rights violations since 9/11 – and the US threatens the ICC for seeking accountability

London – CAGE as well as survivors of US war crimes in Afghanistan are involved in an unprecedented case against the US administration at the International Criminal Court, which has resulted in the US facing accusations of war crimes in Afghanistan.

CAGE outreach director Moazzam Begg and several other survivors of US abuse in the ‘Salt Pit’, the ‘Dark Prison’, Kandahar and Bagram have brought evidence forward attesting to the way in which the US administration, under the guise of bringing those responsible for the 9/11 attacks to justice, has arrested, tortured and held without trial or charge hundreds if not thousands of innocent people.

Despite this evidence, the US is adopting an attitude of denial and belligerence, threatening to arrest members of the ICC and calling it a “dying” organisation. This demonstrates clearly the US’s rejection of any semblance of international justice, in favour of protecting its military industrial complex and its geopolitical interests at the expense of ensuring a global standard of accountability and ethics.

Moazzam Begg, outreach director for CAGE, said:

“The case we have lodged with the ICC is unprecedented and it comes at a crucial time, where the words ‘national security’ and ‘terrorism’ are useful labels used to silence dissent and muzzle those that seek justice. We urge the ICC to stand up to these threats by the United States and continue to call them out for what they are: a threat to international stability.”

“It is quite extraordinary and telling that the US has threatened to prosecute and place sanctions against ICC officials and anyone aiding them in seeking accountability for US involvement in war crimes in Afghanistan. The Taliban and Afghan Army who are also being investigated have made not made any such threats.”

“Thousands were killed in the 9/11 attacks, but in the wake of this terrible event, the US has caused the death of over 1 million people, mostly Muslims, directly or indirectly in its war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The time has come to put a stop to this war machine, so that justice and accountability can be restored.”

(NOTE: CAGE represents cases of individuals based on the remit of our work. Supporting a case does not mean we agree with the views or actions of the individual. Content published on CAGE may not reflect the official position of our organisation.)

About

CAGE is an independent advocacy organisation working to empower communities impacted by the War on Terror. The organisation highlights and campaigns against state policies, developed as part of the War on Terror, striving for a world free from oppression and injustice.